Bulgaria salary calculator (2026)
Gross to net — or the gross you need for a target net — for an employment contract in Bulgaria, using the 2026 rates in euro. Freelancer or company owner instead? Use the tax calculator for those setups.
Employer additionally pays (18.92%, capped)
€435 / month
Total cost of employment: €2,935 / month · €35,222 / year
Child tax relief (paid out at year-end)
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Select children above to see the annual refund.
How Bulgarian salaries are taxed in 2026
Employment income in Bulgaria carries two deductions: social security and a 10% flat income tax. Your employer withholds both, so the net lands in your account with nothing left to file for a plain salary.
The employee side of social security is 13.78%, split between the state pension fund (6.58%), a universal pension fund you personally own (2.2%), health insurance (3.2%), the illness and maternity fund (1.4%) and unemployment (0.4%). Contributions are only due on income up to the national cap — €2,300 per month in late 2026 — which is why the effective burden falls the more you earn above it.
The 10% income tax then applies to what remains after contributions. There are no brackets and no municipal income taxes: earning more never pushes you into a higher rate. The arithmetic and the reliefs are covered in depth in our Bulgarian tax guide.
What the employer pays on top
The employer adds roughly 18.92% on top of your gross (also capped), so the real cost of a €3,000 salary is about €3,435 a month. If you are negotiating with a foreign employer hiring you in Bulgaria — directly or through an employer of record — knowing the full cost number gives you room to negotiate gross.
Comparing offers across countries? See how Bulgaria stacks up against Romania, Greece or Spain, and run your budget through the cost of living calculator.
Estimates for orientation only, based on the standard third-category employment parameters for 2026 (born after 1959, typical office accident rate). Specific industries, benefits in kind and personal circumstances change the numbers — confirm with a Bulgarian accountant or your employer's payroll. Not tax advice.